Sandra's business takes her to the Lowveld in the eastern part of the country. She helps farmers there prepare for HACCP and EUREPGAP accreditation which they must have if they want to ship their fruit to Europe. This weekend she had several visits lined up with the auditor who does the certification. Fortunately the farmers had done their homework and they all passed the audit. She took me along and parked me next to the pool at the nice guesthouses where we spent the nights. I spent the days enjoying the scenery and working at my JPO application on my laptop.
We spent the weekend in Krueger Park where we were really lucky with animal sightings. We saw Giraffe, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Crocodile, Pelican, Kingfisher, Eagle, Vulture, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Eland, Hippo, Lion and even a Cheetah! Unfortunately I botched the photo of the Cheetah as I forgot to look at the readings my camera was giving me. The light was fading and I should have changed the ISO setting on the camera to get a better shutter speed but was far to excited about the rare animal in front of my lens to take note. There's clearly a lot to learn before I can apply for an assignment from National Geographic!
We were really lucky with the Lion sighting. We drove to the Transport Dam where we immediately sighted a big Rhino. There was a heard of Impala at the dam too. After the Rhino wandered on it's way two Impala males started to have it out where their rank was. We watched fascinated as the animals crashed their heads against each other. We were not quite sure how to determine who the winner was but that was mute as one Impala suddenly barked a warning. All the animals in the heard froze and stared intently in one direction. Two lionesses marched into sight. The Impalas were very alert but other than barking warnings they didn't run off in a fright. Did they realise that the Lions were not going to chase them coming with the wind as they were? The lions sniffed at the murky water had a quick rest and then wandered on.
Impala jumping over a branch
A Cheetah
Two Lions at the Transport Dam
Lions sharply observed by game watchers
Rhino
Elephant
Vervet Monkey with baby
Giraffe looking through branches in a tree